President Trump and Beto O’ Rourke were both in El Paso, Texas on February 11, 2019. This is a side-by-side look at the two rallies in the city that’s at the center of the fight over a border wall.
USA TODAY

Beto O'Rourke did not announce whether he would run for president at a protest in El Paso on Monday, but that didn't stop attendees from treating the event like a campaign rally for their former congressman.

The protest, aimed at countering President Donald Trump's event in El Paso on the same night, had all the trappings of a campaign rally and vendors urged attendees to purchase "Beto 2020" buttons, hats, T-shirts and flags outside the event.

People carried signs denouncing the president and his proposed border wall, but they also waved "Beto" signs and chanted O'Rourke's name throughout their one-mile march next to the Mexican border and through South Central El Paso to the Chalio Acosta Sports Center baseball field — right next door to Trump's rally at the El Paso County Coliseum.

Although Monday's event was organized by El Paso-area community groups and O'Rourke was an invited guest, it offered a taste of possible campaign events to come. It also reminded some people of rallies he hosted at the tail-end of his campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas.

O'Rourke came within three points of unseating Cruz, the closest a Democrat has come to successfully challenging a Republican incumbent in Texas in decades.

Since then, O'Rourke has been quiet, taking time to be with his family and dealing with a self-described "funk" stemming from his loss.

2/11/19 5:52:33 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
(Photo11: Nick Oza, for USA TODAY)

The funk was nowhere to be seen on Monday, as O'Rourke delivered an impassioned, campaign-like speech interspersed with Spanish to the thousands of people gathered for the march.

"With the eyes of the country upon us, all of us together are going to make our stand in one of the safest cities in America. Not because of walls, but in spite of walls," O'Rourke said from the stage at the baseball field, where he stood with the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up on a blustery, cold February night.

"El Paso has been the safest city in the United States of America not in spite of the fact we are a city of immigrants but because we are a city of immigrants," he said.

Many of the thousands of marchers said they believe the former U.S. congressman, who for six years represented his hometown of El Paso, will run for president.

Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston, said O'Rourke's presence at the counter-Trump event appeared to move him closer to announcing his candidacy rather than a move away from it.

"If Beto isn't running for president, it was somewhat a strange action on his part in that the counter rally was much more in the mold of running for the Democratic nomination rather than that of a retired Congressman living in El Paso," Jones said.

"He found himself going head to head with the president of the United States, who possibly could be his rival in the 2020 election," Jones said.

Beto crowd vs Trump

Only a parking lot away from where O'Rourke spoke, images of Trump delivering his rally speech flickered on a huge video screen on the exterior of the County Coliseum. A California company sold Trump hats, T-shirts, and campaign buttons just outside the baseball field fence.

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2/11/19 5:44:54 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:43:49 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:52:33 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:52:34 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019. Nick Oza
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:52:49 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019. Photo by Nick Oza, Gannett
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:52:49 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:58:05 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, holds his son Henry, joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019. Photo by Nick Oza, Gannett
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:58:05 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, holds his son Henry, joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019. Photo by Nick Oza, Gannett
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 5:58:05 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, holds his son Henry, joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019. Photo by Nick Oza, Gannett
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 6:05:00 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 6:06:43 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

2/11/19 6:06:46 PM -- El Paso, TX, U.S.A -- A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally near El Paso County Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2019.
Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

A counter-rally led by former U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, holding his son Henry, joined the March for Truth with hundreds of people along with Border Network for Human Rights, Women's March, to protest against President Trump campaign rally in El Paso, Texas. NICK OZA for USA TODAY

A lone Trump detractor stands on his bicycle amid a sea of Trump supporters on Monday. "Life is a risk, man," he said. "You've got to stand up for what you believe in. I don't want my kids growing up in a racist society. I don't want them to be ashamed to be Mexican." He wouldn't give his name. Blake Gumprecht/Las Cruces Sun-news

Rafael Hernandez, left, and Tony Murillo, both of El Paso, hold signs protesting President Donald Trump. Both say they were upset at Trump's remarks about El Paso in the State of the Union speech and want to send a different message Monday. Diana Albar Soular/Las Cruces Sun-News

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he leaves Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, for a trip to El Paso. Trump will hold his first campaign rally since November's midterm elections in El Paso as he faces a defining week for his push for a border wall, his presidency and his 2020 prospects. Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

President Donald Trump walks up the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Trump is heading to El Paso to try to turn the debate over a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border back to his political advantage as his signature pledge to American voters threatens to become a model of unfulfilled promises. Susan Walsh/Associated Press

President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Trump is heading to El Paso to try to turn the debate over a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border back to his political advantage as his signature pledge to American voters threatens to become a model of unfulfilled promises. Susan Walsh/Associated Press

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President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held a rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the president's State of the Union speech, which angered many El Pasoans and prompted a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held a rally Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after his State of the Union speech, which angered many El Pasoans and prompted a protest near the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

President Donald Trump held rally Monday at the El Paso County Coliseum. Trump spoke at length about finishing the wall. His visit came days after the President's State of the Union speech which angered many El Pasoans prompting a protest outside the coliseum. Beto O'Rourke held a competing rally across the street from Trump's rally. David Davis/Special to the El Paso Times

Those things are: Making room for asylum seekers fleeing the "deadliest places on the planet;" ensuring DREAMers — undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — are not deported and instead made U.S. citizens, and allowing their parents to stay here with a path to citizenship; and to invest more in ports of entry to help stop drug and human trafficking, O'Rourke said.

"Let's own this moment and the future and show the country there's nothing to be afraid of when it comes to the U.S.-Mexico border," he said.

David Varela, 26, an El Paso native, said he thinks O'Rourke will run for president, but he also thought he was smart to hold off making the announcement because, Varela said, Monday was a night for El Paso, and not for launching a presidential run.

Yolanda Moreno, 64, also said she believes O'Rourke will run for president.

She stood in the Bowie parking lot before the march began holding a newly purchased large black flag with Beto for President 2020 in white letters.

"He's down to earth; he doesn't brag; he doesn't boast," Moreno said. "He reminds me of Robert Kennedy."

O'Rourke began the march carrying one of his sons on his shoulders. He was squeezed by some of the thousands of marchers, many of whom held their cellphones high to try to get a photo of the politician who became a national sensation after the midterm election.

Richard Pineda, an associate professor of communications at the University of Texas at El Paso and director of UTEP's Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies, said O'Rourke didn't offer much new in his speech and mostly rehashed his Senate campaign stump speech.

"I'm not sure if yesterday gave us any new insights into (O'Rourke) declaring his candidacy," Pineda said. But the fact that "Beto challenges Trump" became a national story is an indicator of people's political interests, he said.

Jones said having the national spotlight shining on him again increases pressure on O'Rourke to announce his decision.

The longer he waits, the more O'Rourke risks losing donors, potential campaign staff members, and even supports to others on the growing list of announced Democratic candidates, Jones said.

"Since he garnered national attention with his counter rally, this would be an optimal time for him to announce — this week or next week," Jones said.

O'Rourke recently told Oprah Winfrey that he plans to decide by the end of February whether he will run for president.

His last words before leaving the stage Monday possibly left a morsel of a clue on his impending decision: "We'll see you out there," he said.